General Cargo Operational System

Our History

​The Transnet entity has a rich history and heritage as indicated by the varying names it would have traded under. This is indicative of the streamlining of business priorities from inception.

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​1910

​South African Railways and Harbours (SAR&H)

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​The government-run enterprise that made the decision not to hand over the responsibility of the country’s transport to a private company for fear of possible exploitation of power. This entity was a non- profit function of government.

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​1981

​South African Transport Services (SATS)

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​Umbrella company for ten subsidiaries including South African Railways, South African Airways and South African Road Transport.

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​1987

​SATS undergoes restructuring.

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​1988

​South African Harbours is formed as a business unit within SATS.

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​1990

​Transnet Limited materialises

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​Transnet takes over from SATS and is commercialised after the restructuring is concluded. Transnet streamlines its business and becomes the holding company of five, financially independent subsidiaries namely Spoornet (railroad), Portnet (ports), Autonet (road transport), Petronet (pipelines) and the South African Airways.